Chapter 137

Why must fate play such cruel tricks?

The answer was painfully clear.

This was destiny.

Adrian Roland finally relented, settling her beneath a street sign.

Stella Valentine hailed a cab and gave the address.

As the car pulled away, she kept looking back.

Only when the black Porsche didn't follow did she exhale in relief.

Then she smiled bitterly at herself.

Why would she think he'd chase after her?

He was about to become another woman's husband, another child's father.

To him, she was perhaps just another regret in life.

But life was long, and regrets were plentiful. She was merely one among many.

The night sky had countless stars—what difference did one faint glimmer make?

Lily Savigny was his sun now.

Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts.

[The children are home safe.]

A message from Mr. Alistair.

The tension in her shoulders eased.

She wasn't completely alone.

She still had the children... and him.

A wild thought crossed her mind: If Mr. Alistair couldn't meet her in daylight due to his psychological barriers, perhaps this arrangement wasn't so bad.

But what if he really was Adrian's twin brother?

"Driver, please turn around. Take me to Rosewood Gardens instead."

The cabbie chuckled warmly. "Changed your mind, miss? Rosewood's lovely! My son and daughter-in-law live there. Happy as clams—just had their second baby this year!"

His weathered face glowed with contentment.

"Money's tight, but health is wealth, eh?"

Such simple words, yet they warmed her heart.

Kindness still existed in this world.

The moment she opened the door, Ethan crashed into her arms.

"Mommy!"

"Who brought you home?"

"Daddy's driver! Luna drank her milk and fell asleep!" The boy lowered his voice conspiratorially. "Mommy, if Luna sleeps so much... did she get that from you?"

Stella couldn't help laughing. "Why not from Daddy?"

"Because Daddy's a superhero!" Ethan's eyes sparkled. "He's saving the world—no time for naps!"

The innocent words made her eyes sting.

"Mommy, that was Daddy today, right?" Ethan suddenly grew serious. "But why was there another lady with him?"

The question sliced through her like a dull blade reopening an old wound.

"Mommy and Daddy might not stay together forever." She stroked his soft hair. "But we both love you and Luna very much. And your... new daddy will love you too."

"New daddy?" Ethan tilted his head. "But Mommy, the new daddy I saw at home looks exactly like the daddy we saw today!"

The words struck like thunder.

"You're... sure?"

The boy nodded emphatically. "He left in a hurry that day, but now I'm certain—they're the same person!"

Stella's face drained of color.

Joy Fairsprene's call came at that exact moment.

"Stella! It's confirmed!" Her friend's voice crackled with excitement. "Mr. Alistair must be Adrian's identical twin!"

"But what if—"

"No what-ifs!" Joy interrupted. "Julian Valois swore Adrian never wears cologne, but Mr. Alistair always smells of eau de toilette. Their personalities are polar opposites—one gentle, the other ice-cold!"

Every piece of evidence was irrefutable.

Then why did her heart still feel suspended midair?

That complicated matter Mr. Alistair kept mentioning...

"Wait!" Joy gasped. "I think I know why!"